Summary
Van der Heijden, Bardgett, and Van Straalen (2008) present a synthesis of evidence demonstrating that soil microorganisms — often overlooked relative to visible fauna and flora — are fundamental regulators of plant diversity and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. The review draws on experimental and field evidence to argue that mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and decomposer communities exert strong controls over nutrient availability, plant community structure, and ecosystem functioning. The paper is widely cited as a landmark contribution to understanding plant–soil feedbacks and the ecological importance of below-ground biodiversity.
UK applicability
Although not UK-specific, the principles and mechanisms described are directly applicable to UK terrestrial ecosystems, including managed grasslands, arable soils, and semi-natural habitats; the findings are highly relevant to UK agri-environment policy and soil health strategies, including those under the Environmental Land Management scheme.
Key measures
Plant species diversity; ecosystem productivity; soil microbial community composition; mycorrhizal colonisation rates; nutrient cycling metrics; plant–soil feedback indices
Outcomes reported
The paper synthesises evidence on how soil microbial communities — including mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, and other soil organisms — influence plant community composition, plant diversity, and ecosystem productivity. It examines the mechanisms by which below-ground microbial processes drive above-ground ecological outcomes.
Topic tags
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